Forum Topic

Annapurna closure

I was so sad to see that the Annapurna was closing tonight. I first ate there in 1972, and had many wonderful meals there since. Thanks to Mr Ahmet for managing such a lovely restaurant consistently for so long.Stephen Skinner

Steven Skinner ● 27d18 Comments

Rumour had it that many of the Indian restaurants down there shared the same kitchen and the food was smuggled from one to another along the back alley!

Peter Evans ● 18d

Nobody is saying it was robbed of a Michelin star and there are certainly better Indian restaurants close by. Indian Zing is amazing and I'm not going to contradict you if you say Haweli is better but Annapurna was nearly always the consensus choice when out with friends because it stacked up best on price/quality.

Mark Evans ● 18d

Many will recall that there once was a hot spot called "Geetanjali's !

Jim Lawes ● 18d

Horses for courses here - I went twice and was very underwhelmed. I gave the initial visit the benefit of the doubt but if anything the second visit was worse (no service gripes, simply the food was sub par)

Richard Schofield ● 18d

Nearly every visit I made to Pickwicks, I encountered a drunk person determined to talk to me who turned out to have a very interesting story to tell. The things I heard in that place about the great and the good still make my toes curl.On Annapurna, I have to defend it against suggestions that there had been a decline in quality. There might be better curry houses in Birmingham, Manchester or even Southall but it was one of the few remaining places that you could go out for a convivial evening meal on the High Road and not wince when the bill came. I never had a bad meal there and never had cause to question the service. However, any independent restaurant is vulnerable to key staff not being available on a given night and standards slipping so I never let one bad experience deter me from returning to a place which has been consistently good previously.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 18d

Pickwicks was a den of iniquity.Run consecutively by disparate characters John Gates (Mr Pickwick) and Peter, the joint attracted a social mix of regulars comprising architects, lawyers, secretaries, builders, civil servants, retirees, housewives, journalists, musicians and anyone with a pulse.Everybody was treated the same, and everybody left the premises after their tipple feeling good about themselves and the world about them.Happy days.

Denis I. Fox ● 19d

I miss pickwicks and the tandori. I also miss Pete and the newsagents. Full rammed with everything, including all those porn mags the whole length of the shop. Here is a memory from the past

Julian Pavey ● 19d

Ah Pickwicks - legendary!First time we went in there, there was a postman's party, and there were some raised voices and a few harsh words exchanged (amongst the assembled postment I think, though it was in the dim and distant past)After the posties had departed, we were sitting with Peter the owner, who told us "This sort of thing doesn't normally happen at Pickwicks"Very fond memories!

Andrew Jones ● 19d

I think you're absolutely right, Joe, and many who view these establishments through rose-tinted spectacles have short memories (or weren't the regular customers they thought they were). Annapurna had a decent run. Slightly off subject, I still mourn the loss of Pickwicks.

Mike Smith ● 19d

Where's Mays? Is it the Chinese joint at the corner of Devonshire Road and Glebe Street? If so, I'll give it a go.

Roger Talbot ● 19d

I also had eaten there several times over the years (though I still miss the long gone Moonlight Tandoori on Devonshire Road the most). Sad to say the last time was a few years ago with my daughter and friends and both the service and food was so bad I decided never to return. One has to accept the home truth that some restaurants just run their life cycle and without new impetus/staff just fade away.

Joe Conneely ● 20d

Believe Wayne has now left Chiswick.

Janice Evans ● 22d

You're right, May's it is.You would be surprised at the number of celebs who utilise this reliable restaurant, so my current delivery man informs me.Sometime ago I ate at a table next to a man who was thoroughly enjoying his birthday there with a close friend.On his way out he treated the diners to a little dance, despite a recent hip replacement.That's the great Wayne Sleep for you.

Denis I. Fox ● 22d

Another Chiswick institution gone. I've probably had over fifty meals there over the years and the quality has never varied. Very nice people as well.What's the oldest restaurant in Chiswick now? Mays?

Mark Evans ● 22d

Sad sad news.My mate broke the bog in there after a heavy night, back in the dim distant.A testament to the wonderful food.

Dave Dodds ● 26d

Sad this excellent restaurant is closing, it has been a mainstay in Chiswick since mid 70s.I think they may have lost a bit of custom when they stopped delivering; I for one was not willing to subscribe to Deliveroo.

Denis I. Fox ● 27d

My husband and I used to go there a lot when we first met and that was well over fifty years ago now! So thank-you so much for the memories.

Vanessa Smith ● 27d

Agree. We too have been eating there(and collecting take-away meals) for decades. They always provided the most courteous service. A visit was always a pleasure. Sorry to see them go.

Beryl Wall ● 27d